Weymouth native dies in Iraq

A soldier from Falmouth who was born in Weymouth has died in Iraq. Cpl. Matthew Gallagher was the son of a retired Quincy police officer.

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

Writer

Posted Jun. 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 28, 2011 at 11:05 PM

Posted Jun. 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 28, 2011 at 11:05 PM

» Social News

A soldier from Falmouth who was born in Weymouth has died in Iraq.

Cpl. Matthew Gallagher, 22, would have been 23 in just a few weeks.

The Department of Defense has confirmed that Gallagher was killed Sunday in the Wasit Province of northern Iraq in "a non-combat related incident."

He was the son of Peter Gallagher, a retired Quincy police officer, and Cheryl Ruggiero.

His mother, a former Army reservist, said her son followed in her military footsteps and found he had a passion for serving his country.

"It made him feel good and proud," his mother said.

"He was so good at it. I mean he moved up in rank so quickly," said his wife, Katie Hall Gallagher, who was still grappling with the news of his death.

"He was the most generous, nice person that I've ever met in my life. He was everything to me. He was my best friend," said Katie Hall Gallagher.

Gallagher was born in Weymouth and moved to North Falmouth, where he attended Falmouth High School. He won the Abigail Adams Scholarship for MCAS score excellence, according to the Falmouth Military Support Group.

"He was the most sensitive, sweet ... he had the biggest heart. Great friend, loving husband, wonderful son," Ruggiero said.

Gallagher was on his second tour of duty and was expected home next month for a two-week visit.

The U.S. death toll in Iraq is now 4,465, including 77 servicemen and women from Massachusetts. There have been 11 deaths in June and 33 since Jan. 1.